Institute of Railway Studies

University of York and National Railway Museum Relationship Strengthened

Posted on 30 October 2014

The National Railway Museum, together with the University of York, has officially re-launched the Institute of Railway Studies - and reiterated their joint commitment to the partnership between both York institutions.

The re-launched partnership recognises the opportunity to strengthen and deepen the relationship, including working together on further areas of joint research and mutual interest and sharing expertise and training. It will also bring a broader range of disciplines to help our understanding of railway studies. A Railway Studies Forum will also be created to strengthen academic research for both staff and students.

The Institute is at the forefront of academic study and aims to broaden the railway audience and develop a deeper understanding of the history of British Railways. Since the Institute’s inception in 1995, the University has awarded 12 PhDs, 40 Master’s degrees, three Postgraduate Certificates and 71 Graduate Certificates in Railway Studies.

Paul Kirkman, Director at the National Railway Museum said:

'This partnership sees two world-class institutions coming together to share ideas, research and expertise. We’ve had a relationship with the university for many years but this marks the start of an exciting new era. It will support our new research strategy and facilitate improved academic access to, and use of, our collections.'

Colin Mellors, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business and Community) at the University of York commented:

'The relationship with the National Railway Museum is a very important one for the University. York is extremely fortunate to have such a tremendous international asset located in the city. We intend to build on our strong existing relationship with the museum to ensure that, by working together even more closely, we make the very best use of our joint expertise as well as ensuing that our work is accessible to all those who are interested in this fascinating area of study.'

Notes to editors:

The National Railway Museum in York has the largest collection of railway objects in the world and attracts over 700,000 visitors per year.

The National Railway Museum is home to Search Engine, the museum’s library and archive centre which provides public access to one of the largest railway and transport libraries in the UK with 25,000 books and 800 serial titles and extensive archive collections comprising over 1 million engineering drawings, over 100 archive collections of people, organisations and societies; and business records from the dawn of railways to the present day.

The National Railway Museum houses a world class collection of Royal trains, which includes a collection of Royal carriages, from those used by Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.

The National Railway Museum’s vast art collection comprises of 11,270 posters, 2,358 prints and drawings, 1052 paintings, and 1,750,000 photographs, many of which have never been on public display.

The National Railway Museum forms part of the Science Museum Group, along with the Science Museum in London, the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester, the National Media Museum in Bradford and the National Railway Museum in Shildon.

Admission to the National Railway Museum is free.

For more information visit nrm.org.uk. or join us at facebook.com/nationalrailwaymuseum or @railwaymuseum